(The Center Square) – Virginia will receive nearly $11 million in federal funds to build 392 electric vehicle charging ports.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the second round of grants last week that are funded by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The process goes through the Transportation Department’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program.
Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner amplified the news said more than half the charging ports will be installed in “disadvantaged communities” throughout the commonwealth in an effort to increase EV accessibility.
“Electric vehicles will help create healthier communities for future generations by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. However, it’s critical that Virginians who choose to purchase EVs have access to charging stations so they can get where they need to go,” said the senators. “We’re glad the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we helped pass is bringing this funding to Virginia to install EV charging ports across the commonwealth, especially in areas that receive a high volume of visitors.”
The senators have a long record of supporting electric vehicles in the pursuit of supporting the commonwealth’s “clean energy economy.” In 2022, Virginia received nearly $16 million in federal funds to install charging ports.
The 2022 funding was the first of five installments totaling $106,375,132 for building electric vehicle charging stations across Virginia over the next five years.
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth address warned against Democrats’ clean energy plan and sounded the alarm on a potential energy crisis.
In June 2024, Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares announced that the commonwealth would be exiting the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, tying Virginia with California’s electric vehicle mandates. California requires 100% of new car sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035 and can fine automakers that fail to comply.
In November, a circuit court judge struck down Youngkin’s withdrawal from the initiative, and the governor vowed to appeal.